While a lot of focus were placed on other stars in the NFL, Tua Tagovailoa did the work during the offseason for the Miami Dolphins. Now, the quarterback and his team are enjoying the benefits on the field.
Just recently, the Dolphins and Tagovailoa have agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal will pay the quarterback an average of $53.1 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Tagovailoa was a limited participant in the Dolphins’ first training camp practice as the two sides negotiated the contract extension. The Dolphins’ head coach, Mike McDaniel, acknowledged that he was in the midst of a contract negotiation and that the team was communicating well with him.
Last season, the quarterback led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624 and had a passer rating of 101.1, cementing his status as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Despite not winning the Comeback Player of the Year award, his season was widely celebrated, with some analysts noting that his career passer rating of 97.1 puts him in elite company, ahead of legends like Steve Young and Peyton Manning.
With the contract extension now in place, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ high-powered offense can focus on the upcoming season, where they are ranked 12th in Yahoo Sports’ preseason power rankings.
Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Reaping Rewards of Offseason Weight Loss Efforts
Apart from signing a massive extension with Miami, Tagovailoa has also kept himself busy during the offseason. In an article by Bleacher Report’s NFL Staff, the quarterback’s weight loss plan was evident in the Dolphins’ preseason match against the Washington Commanders.
“Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn’t play in the Miami Dolphins’ preseason opener. For many fans, Saturday provided a first look at the new slimmed-down version of Miami’s signal-caller.
Tagovailoa lost weight in the offseason, which, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, was in an effort to gain another edge.
“That’s something that we directly relate—him and I—in terms of looking for those competitive advantages, so I think he identified that as one for himself and has,” McDaniel said in May, per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “I think the results speak for themselves. He’s svelte.”
Tagovailoa reportedly lost “10 or 15 pounds” to increase mobility and better buy time in the pocket.
He isn’t suddenly going to become run-heavy quarterback a la Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but Tagovailoa’s increased escapability was on display early against the Washington Commanders. He rolled out, avoided heavy pressure and delivered a last-second dump-off that tight end Julian Hill took for an eight-yard game. Miami capped the drive with a touchdown.
Tagovailoa’s mobility may be a big asset this season, especially with Dolphins’ offensive line in flux. Robert Hunt and Connor Williams both departed in the offseason, while Isaiah Wynn remains on the PUP list,” the Bleacher Report article stated.
After playing college football at Alabama, winning a national championship in 2017 and earning several awards in 2018, Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dolphins. He became the team’s primary starter in 2021 and led the league in passer rating in 2022 and passing yards in 2023, earning Pro Bowl honors.
It remains to be seen whether the quarterback’s efforts during the offseason will pay off in the coming months or not. In any case, if he keeps this up, the Dolphins can become legitimate contenders in the NFL.
